DENMARK
Title: New Danish pilot programme on medicinal cannabis
Author: Lexology
Date: 22 February 2018
URL: https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=28840833-b421-4415-bea7-fa4eca127548
Extract:
In January 2018, a new statutory pilot programme on medicinal cannabis came into force in Denmark. The purpose of the pilot programme is to establish a safe framework for the use of medicinal cannabis in the Danish healthcare system.
Essentially, it provides physicians with a possibility of prescribing certain types of cannabis-based products for medicinal use in specific cases.
The pilot programme primarily concerns cannabis- based products imported from EEA member states and allows import and manufacture of so-called cannabis primary or cannabis intermediate products which technically are different from medicinal products subject to the grant of a Marketing Authorization. Under the pilot programme, a primary product may also legally be transformed into an intermediate product by an authorized manufacturer. Subject to being prescribed by a physician to an individual patient, the intermediate product will then undergo a labelling procedure at the pharmacy. Hereafter, the final cannabis end product may be dispensed for the treatment of patients.
Further, a separate development programme will run parallel to the pilot programme making Denmark one of the first countries in Europe to allow growing of cannabis for medical use. The purpose of this programme is to allow companies to provide intermediary products to the pilot programme.
Both programmes will run for four years. Based on the experiences, an overall evaluation of the programmes will then be made with a view to making a political decision about a permanent medicinal cannabis scheme in Denmark.
Consequently, for the next four years, Danish companies can grow, import, and manufacture cannabis for medical use if they obtain the appropriate (time limited) authorizations from the Danish Medicines Agency (the DMA).
The DMA’s website contains guidance for manufacturers and importers on how to apply for such authorizations to import primary products or intermediate products and/or to manufacture imported primary products into intermediate products or to grow cannabis for medical use.
MALTA
Malta poised to be next domino to fall in European Union’s medical cannabis wave
UK
Title: Four Great Hypocrisies of the UK’s Ban on Medical Cannabis
Author: Talking Drugs.org
Date: 22 February 2018
URL: https://www.talkingdrugs.org/4-medical-cannabis-bill-uk-2017
Extract:
On February 23, the UK Parliament will have its second reading of a bill which – if passed – would permit the production, supply, possession, and use of cannabis for medical purposes. The Legalisation of Cannabis (Medicinal Purposes) Bill has been nicknamed the Elizabeth Brice bill after the activist and proponent of medical cannabis who passed away in 2011. Brice died from multiple sclerosis, which medical cannabis can help treat.
To coincide with the bill’s reading, the United Patients Alliance – a UK group which campaigns for patients to have legal access to medical cannabis – has organised a demonstration in support of the reform outside Parliament.
Title: England, a Holdout in Western Europe, to Consider Medical Cannabis Bill
Author: Leafly
Date: 22 February 2018
Extract:
As it is in the United States, cannabis is illegal in the United Kingdom under national law. Possession is punishable by a term of up to five years, and an unlimited fine. These terms are rarely enforced, but they’re on the books nonetheless, and have the ongoing consequences of stunting research and putting the UK out of step of the rest of Europe.
